Caption

Children's sarcophagus with a depiction of griffins, Lid fashioned like a roof with tympanums; longer frontal side decorated with two garlands attached to three bucrania placed symmetrically and an additional bucranium in the lid's middle. Shorter sides show double rosettes with ribbons between tympanums. Center of the front wall features a candelabrum topped with a leaf-shaped head. On either side of the candelabrum are symmetrically arranged winged griffins with lion heads and ram's horns, drinking from goblets offered by naked boys at the sarcophagus edges; the boys pour a drink from jugs held in their right or left hands. Side walls depict seated griffins similar to those on the front, each with one paw on a recumbent ram's head. Iconography traces griffin types to Greek archaic art; they reappear on Roman sarcophagi as guardians ensuring the peace of the deceased. Hadrianic period c. 117–138 AD. Roman Empire. Osteotheca, sarcophagus. Dimensions: height 33 cm, width 68 cm, depth 29 cm; weight 94 kg., A rectangular stone block with a hollowed oval recess along its top surface sits against a neutral gray background; the block has a rough, pitted texture and appears in shades of light gray, off-white, and beige with some darker gray spots, and shows worn, irregular edges and two small dark round inclusions on its front face.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A17_427

License type

Rights managed

Available size

52.7Mb (3.8Mb) / 20.0in x 10.2in / 6000 x 3068 (300dpi)

Keywords

Children's sarcophagus depiction griffins Lid fashioned roof tympanums longer frontal side decorated two garlands attached three bucrania placed symmetrically additional bucranium lid's middle Shorter sides double rosettes ribbons Center front wall features candelabrum topped leaf-shaped head side candelabrum arranged winged griffins lion heads ram's horns drinking goblets offered naked boys sarcophagus edges boys pour drink jugs held right left hands Side walls depict seated griffins front paw recumbent ram's head Iconography traces griffin types Greek archaic art reappear Roman sarcophagi guardians ensuring peace deceased Hadrianic period c 117–138 Ad Roman Empire Osteotheca sarcophagus Dimensions height 33 cm width 68 cm depth 29 cm weight 94 kg rectangular stone block hollowed oval recess top surface sits neutral gray background block rough pitted texture shades light gray off-white beige darker gray spots worn irregular edges two small dark round inclusions front face.